Methods Lab @ Weizenbaum Institute

The Methods Lab is the central unit for supporting, connecting, and coordinating the methods training and consulting at the Weizenbaum Institute. Besides assisting ongoing research projects of the research groups and units, the lab also conducts methods research and develops tools for the collection and analysis of digital data.


Latest Blog Posts

  • Workshop: Qualitative Interviews in Practice (March 19, 2026)
    Join us for the workshop Qualitative Interviews in Practice, organized by the Methods Lab at the Weizenbaum Institute. On March 19, 2026, three experienced researchers will share insights from their hands-on work with qualitative interviews. The workshop focuses on practical experience, reflection, and methodological exchange. Each invited expert will give […]
  • Workshop: Introduction to Programming and Data Analysis with R (March 25-26, 2026)
    The Methods Lab is happy to welcome back the fourth annual Programming and Data Analysis with R workshop, led by Roland Toth (WI). The two-day workshop will take place at the Weizenbaum Institute on Wednesday, March 25, and Thursday, March 26. Aimed at participants with beginner to intermediate experience, the […]
  • Tool Presentation: OpenQDA
    OpenQDA is an accessible and easy-to-use alternative to the qualitative data analysis tool MAXQDA, which can often feel complicated, individualized, or expensive. It is being developed by our colleagues at ZeMKI at the University of Bremen. It offers functions similar to MAXQDA, but is free, open-source, web-based, and designed to […]
  • New publication: The quality and quantity of mobile media use
    In a world where smartphones are rarely out of reach, the conversation around mobile media use has long centered on one metric: screen time. But what if the real story isn’t about duration, but about how we use these devices? The Methods Lab is proud to share a new publication […]